TNN
Kolkata, Sep 19: Leander Paes has been down a few times in life, but never out. The strong desire to fulfil ambitions and the ability to look at the brighter side have pulled him through many a mental and physical crisis. Look at the present, for instance. Rudely jolted and pushed to a corner by a players' revolt, Paes showed some defiance before putting his hands up. His captaincy was unacceptable to his Davis Cup teammates and he had to resign.
Four-and-a-half years and 10 ties after being in the 'hot seat', the 35-year-old Paes finds himself 'demoted' from playing captain to just a team member. But rather than go into a shell and sulk, Paes has reasons to look forward to the tie versus Romania beginning in Bucharest on Friday.
It will be his 44th Davis Cup appearance - an Indian record. He was tied at 43 ties each with Ramanathan Krishnan and Jaidip Mukerjea, but from this weekend, he will be on a new high. He already tops two other categories - most Cup wins by an Indian (82 matches) and most doubles victories by an Indian (34) - and is two shy of Krishnan Senior's most singles wins (50) by an Indian (that could remain untouched).
"Records mean a lot to me... I'm very proud of these. I love playing for the country and want to be remembered as the best Indian Davis Cupper," Paes told TOI. Oft-repeated words by a fierce patriot who refuses to see where the road will end for him.
"One's position doesn't change much because of the designation. No matter what your designation is in the team, you always put your best foot forward and to help the team win." He's been doing that for 19 years now and there'll be no change in attitude or effort this weekend in the Romanian capital.
Of course, Paes is under no illusion about India's chances. Romania may not have a team of world-beaters, but he knows taming them in their backyard on clay will take some effort.
"Our best chance is if Somdev (Devvarman) can win his singles on Friday and then Mahesh and I bag the doubles rubber to take a 2-1 advantage into the final day... Anything can happen in such a scenario. But that's easier said than done.
"It won't be a cakewalk for us even in doubles. The Romanian duo beat the experienced French pair of (Arnaud) Clement and (Michael) Llodra last year, and when they met each other again this year, the Romanians lost in five sets. They have some tough doubles players, so we have to be on our guard."
Paes has high hopes on Somdev. "He's been out of college for six months and is already pushing to be India's top singles player. He's in fine form after beating some tough players recently... Got a smart head on his shoulders."
It's not often that Paes talks so positively about a youngster. May be the 23-year-old will show this weekend that he is the one who'll take over the mantle from Indian tennis' evergreen hero.